BOCA GRANDE, FL — June 16, 2025
In what doctors and family members are calling a “miracle,” nine-year-old Leah Lendel is showing signs of recovery just days after a devastating shark attack nearly severed her hand while swimming off the coast of Boca Grande, Florida.
Leah underwent complex reconstructive surgery on June 11 at Tampa General Hospital, where surgeons inserted pins to stabilize her shattered bones and used arteries from her leg to restore blood flow to the hand, according to a statement from her mother, Nadia Lendel, shared with The Tampa Bay Times.
On June 13, Leah’s mother posted an emotional update on social media, revealing that her daughter was able to move all her fingers and did not require sedation during early stages of her recovery.
“The doctors were able to do some miracles and put her hand back together,” said her uncle, Max Derinsky, in an interview with NBC News. “She will be in the hospital for a while and then a lot of physical therapy to hopefully get her hand functioning again.”
A Rare and Frightening Attack
The attack occurred around noon on June 11, while Leah was swimming with family members off Boca Grande, a coastal town known for its tranquil beaches and family-friendly waters.
“They were able to get her out of the water and up onto the road quickly,” said Fire Chief C.W. Blosser, who confirmed that emergency responders airlifted Leah from the beach to the hospital.
Blosser noted that Leah’s attack was the first shark bite in the area in two decades, calling it a rare but sobering incident.
“These occurrences are limited,” he said in a public statement. “But there always is a potential. I don’t think it’s a cause for alarm at this point.”
Florida’s Shark Bite Record
Florida consistently leads the nation in unprovoked shark bites. In 2024, the state reported 14 such incidents, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History, which tracks shark attacks globally. However, attacks like Leah’s—serious and requiring major surgery—remain rare.
Experts advise swimmers to avoid wearing shiny jewelry, stay in groups, and avoid swimming during dawn and dusk when sharks are more active.
A Long Road Ahead
While Leah’s recovery is progressing, her family says she faces extensive rehabilitation, including occupational therapy to regain use of her hand. Her age and early movement are both positive signs for recovery, but doctors say it will take time.
Support and encouragement have poured in from across the country, with many praising Leah’s resilience and the medical team’s quick and skillful intervention.
